September's Serenade!

Labor Day Pictures

Okay, okay...I know the message is loud, but, I just realized that it's really a holiday to be celebrated, no work...play hooky legally!!!  And, I wanted to make it look good!

Actually, I'm coming to you LIVE, (just had to say that!) from KardKorner headquarters-you know the place.  Forward and backward in no particular order...color me cluttered?  Yeah, that's the one!  I've been busy, yes, with my little Scootie, and also with a few September projects.  I do hold down a full-time job for the time being with the same firm at 22 years and counting now.  And, I print my own greeting cards, business cards, calendars, and the like, just for fun...actually, I haven't bought a greeting card since 2002.  For September I do have a couple of Birthdays, and...oh, my!  Looks like SOMEONE is having a wedding anniversary in September!  Now, who could that be?  You're right...it's yours truly, and, that guy Karo.  We'll be celebrating 13 years of a fun and joyful marriage!

And, here he is!

OOPS!!!  Wrong guy...cute though, eh?

Here's Karo...sneaking around behind the neighbor's oleander...hmmm!

Happy Anniversary to my dearest Karo-13 years ♥

 Maybe some of you, my dear readers, have visited 'my stuff' page.  I don't post over there as often as I'd like to, but the page does feature some of my printing projects.  I love to create printed items, like brochures, business cards, invitations and other greeting card items.  I do odd jobs for my mother-church bazaar flyers, the annual itinerary for her Herb Club, membership applications, and, thank you cards!  I even helped 'you-know-who', over at MyTexasGardens, put together a little slide show about Container Gardening for mom's Herb Club last year.  And, it was quite a job! This little hobby is what inspired me to start a blog.  I wanted to display some of 'my stuff'...but, as you see, I also love to write about 'off-the-wall' stuff, that just might interest some folks out there!

So, stop me NOW!!!

 Here is my Kalendar for September.  I make one of these every month just for the heck of it.  It gets posted on our frig with floral magnets, and I put one up at my office in the file room, where we do our document scanning, copying, and post our daily mail.  Sometimes, I will make a special Birthday kalendar for a friend or family member.

September is my favorite month of the year, because I always inhale a  refreshing new perspective on life, and, the upcoming events bringing us to our year's end.  And, you ask (rather loudly, too)...'Isn't it getting kind of late to be worrying about year's end, when it's practically on TOP OF US?"  Yeah, okay, but, as I am not a New Year's resolutionist, I use September to regroup, just as we had to when we were children, anticipating the new school year.  I've written about this before...somewhere during my early blog days! But, anyway, even though you know most of the kids who will be in your class, you haven't seen most of them for several months.  And, oh, how we could change in just 3 months!  The boy who kissed me goodbye at the end of my 7th grade year, didn't even know who I was in my 8th grade year!  Oh well, so on to a new year with new clothes, new teachers, and, some new friends! 

 And, now, in my adult life, I do look back...and, I do smile and laugh!  I'm glad the Septembers of my youth have served as stepping stones, still guiding me through life, refreshing my outlook, and sending me those bright colors of Autumn!  

***

Thank you so much for coming by.  Do stop and say hello, and, do have a safe and fun Labor Day holiday...yes, it is a holiday---a 'no guilt', 'no workday' holiday!  YAY!

  I appreciate you all...drive thru the school zones carefully!

And, take heed from Maxine!  She means business!

  Scootie is not old enough to attend school this year...
...however, he will be a student of KardKornerKrib!

~laundry duty! LOL!

p.s.  beware of Friday the 13th this September!  Who me?  Nah...I'm not superstitious!

au revoir!

Color Me Cluttered!

What's all this clutter, you ask?  Why, it kinda looks like KardKorner headquarters!!!  But, really, I need all this stuff!  Believe it or not, I know what's what here...truly I do!!!  

Do you ever find yourself in the same boat?  No, no...we're not off to Snake Island again-I mean in a state of clutter!  Well, confessions will set us free (for those of us who will actually admit it)!

I was nosing around on the internet the other day, looking for other signs of clutter, and visited a site called  www.mindoverclutter.com, where I gained a bit of insight on the subject.

Below are listed the 4 main categories of clutter as written by 

Karen Kingston, author of  'Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui'.

1.  things you do not use or love

2.  things that are untidy or disorganized

3.  too many things in too small a place

4.  anything unfinished

A show of hands...guilty as charged above?  Me too!

Further digging on the subject brought me to a definition of 'clutter' as wikipedia sees it.  One view is, 'A confusing or disorderly state or collection.'  Someone else said, 'Clutter can be a result of a mental road block, designed to keep you from having an organized life.'

But, Albert Einstein, the father of modern physics, thinks that clutter is okay.  He said,

"If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, then what are we to think of an empty desk?"

Albert Einstein's desk at Princeton

Cool, huh?

Is there an upside to untidiness?

Recently, at the University of Minnesota, a study was done, regarding clutter.  Much to the surprise of the researchers, it was found that a little clutter MIGHT bring out the freshest and most creative side of you.
Well, that's refreshing to know, isn't it?

Another finding was:  "A less than perfect work environment can make a person more likely to think 'out of the box', or at least above the horizon of those neat people in the office."

And another:  "Orderly environments would encourage adherence to social convention and overall conservatism, whereas disorderly environments would encourage people to seek novelty and unconventional routes."

So, after the research team, headed up by psychologist Kathleen Vohs, lead author, challenged themselves, it was deduced that, in actuality, 'the environment doesn't create something that isn't already there.  However, to the extent that you are creative, it pulls it out of you."

But, it is a fact that Einstein was right, too!  We know he was no neat freak!
But he did make PI...didn't he?

"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking
that we used when we created them."
~Albert Einstein

~NO...Don't tell me!!!  This isn't KardKorner Headquarters is it?  If I de-clutter, will I lose something in the process?  Probably!  Actually, I'll probably throw away old notes, and things that I'll never use again.
  And, then, I'll be sorry!

OH, What the heck...tell me to GO FOR IT!!!

***
Thanks so much for coming by...I am delighted to see you!  Don't forget to sign in!  LOL!
I'm looking forward to the hot summer winding down...it has been a bit cooler in the Lone Star State...only in the upper 90's instead of low 100's.   School will be starting within a week or two-I'll have to slow down and watch for the school buses, maybe even leave home a few minutes earlier to BEAT the bus to its stop!  We had a fund raiser in my office and donated cash for back packs and bought school supplies for needy children.  What a good feeling that was.  Everyone was so generous, and, I'm sure those students will be excited to see their new school stuff!

And, really-I just threw all of that stuff on my desk just for this post....really???

***
I'm leaving you with this...be safe, love and laugh! ♥

Island Hopping? ...not ME!

Ilha da Queimada Grande

Lovely, beckoning picture, you say?  I'm wandering off the coast of Brazil, around Sao Paulo.  How I love to bask in the beauty of the sea, only to approach a magnificently inviting island and rain forest-BUT WAIT!  As I  get closer in to get a better look, I actually get an eerie vibe...the rank scent of danger seeps in and out of my nostrils.  Chills go straight to my shoulders and neck (forget running up my spine-no time for that)! 

The closer I get to what I hoped would be some sort of civilization, the more I begin to contemplate back paddling and getting the 'heck' out of Dodge!  But, the strange beauty still calls to me (kind of like the sirens of Greek Mythology who lured sailors to their deaths with their bewitching songs)!

And, as I approach shore, I detect a slight 'rustling'  sound coming from the island.  I can even see movement in the sporadically placed patches of vegetation, a sort of  weaving, creepy figure eight type of  fidgeting!

See?  There's something moving around in the water too!  Methinks I should step back and take a better look at this place...what do you think?

It seems as tho I have wandered a little too far off the beautifully, welcoming islands and have had the misfortune of dropping anchor just outside of 'Snake Island'!  Snake Island is beautiful and welcoming, however, it is totally uninhabited, except for a few snakes...A FEW?  Try approximately 5,000 of the most venomous snakes ever...and, I mean, snakes of only one type-the Golden Lancehead Pit-Viper!  That was a mouthful, literally!  This island is so dangerous, the Brazilian Navy doesn't allow any humans to go there,  other than scientists and researchers with special permits.

I know, I know-you're dying to see a picture of this creature!

So here it is!  Cute, huh?
(and I know somehow there are 2 pictures on here-don't ask how!)

These malicious inhabitants have taken over this once beautiful island.  For every square meter of land on this 110 acre of land, there lurks one of these snakes...so, at that rate, you are never more than 3 feet away from imminent death!  One bite is so debilitating that it actually melts the flesh around it, and, can cause brain hemorrhage and kidney failure. 

Want More?

The island is a subtropical, moist forest with a very mild climate, and the rocky terrain (there is no beach), with forest-like vegetation, makes for an ideal campground to this viper.  No...I don't know how they got there!  But, years ago, the property was tagged to become a banana plantation, and, the idea fizzled!  The island's name Queimada is Portugese meaning 'the island of the big land-clearing fire'.  I think the fishermen tried to burn out the snakes years ago, but somehow failed.  It is believed that since the viper has no other habitat, it could become extinct in the event of a wildfire on the island.

 At one time there was a lighthouse on the island, kept by a keeper and his family.  As the story goes, one night some snakes found their way into the lighthouse thru an open window, and, attacked the family.  They tried to run out and to their boat in hopes of escape.  With their 3 children they made it out into the jungle, but, were met by more snakes, hanging from the trees, and, just coming out of the 'woodwork'.   Consequently, the entire family was killed, and, there has not been a replacement keeper for the lighthouse, and, it sits in decaying disrepair.  And, now, these ruthless vipers are left to survive off of migrant birds, who are just trying to rest on the island.

* In 1969, an Italian movie was filmed on Snake Island.  The movie was called 'Burn', and starred Marlon Brando.  The island is depicted as a sugar plantation, and, Marlon Brando is an agent who is sent to the island to organize an uprising of the slaves.  The result would be to overthrow the Portugese regime in order to gain control of the island for its sugar cane production.

I have not seen this movie...don't even recall hearing about it-seems it just got a 2 star review rating.  And, I couldn't find any information on the condition of this island, or, its inhabitants during the filming of this movie.  It's possible that most of it was filmed in the neighboring city of  Sao Paulo, perhaps with some scenes around the shore of  Queimada island.  

***

So, what do you think...that 'SOME' people will write about anything?  I don't know...I don't really like snakes, let's just say, I have a certain respect for them (NO EYE CONTACT)!   

And, if you have a hankerin' to visit a gorgeous island covered in verdant rain forest, and, surrounded by azure seas, remember my tale of 'Snake Island', and TURN AROUND!!!

* Thank you so much for coming over and checking my blog out.  I hope you enjoyed my tale, 'as I see it', even if you don't like snakes...which I don't!   I'm always thrilled with your visits and comments.  And, for those of you who are too shy to leave a comment...well, okay-maybe next time!  

I'm glad you ventured by!

***

I want to wish my wonderful husband, Karo, a happy birthday tomorrow, July 21st.  He shares a birthday with Ernest Hemingway, and Cat Stevens.

Many happy days Karo!

***

Ernest Hemingway * July 21, 1899~July 2, 1961

Cat Stevens * July 21, 1948

***

And, a Special Thank You to my good friend Shady Del Knight for the Liebster blog award he bestowed upon me and some of his blog followers this morning.   
Gosh, you were up early, Shady!

*Congratulations on your 5 years of amazing blogging Shady! 
 You can catch Shady's blog at

http://shadydell.blogspot.com

I also give my thanks to:

Google

Yahoo

Marlon Brando

Wikipedia

http://www.mostlyodd.com

http://curioushistory.com

http://www.atlasobscura.com

Till we meet again!  Be safe...be happy!♥

...can I hit 'publish' now, Grandma?

"Quiet on The Set!"

Mesquite Drive-in theater * Jacksboro, TX * photo by Suzanne * June 13, 2013
~closed~

In the heat of the steamy August evening,  they remembered the hot, yet, exciting Saturday nites at the drive-in picture show in the 1950's.  Young teenagers, piled into cars, six to eight in one car, girls in their halter tops and shorts...boys in their blue jeans and t-shirts with the sleeves rolled up.  Back then, they could enter the grounds at one dollar per car!  What a great time it was..they were out for the nite and ready for anything!   And, they would gossip prematurely about the movie they were about to see, and how their favorite actors and actresses would come across on the open-air screen.  

There would be Elvis in 1958, as a teen in 'King Creole' (my favorite Elvis movie).  This movie awarded Elvis one of his best acting roles.  Plenty of teen boys could identify with this movie, high school dropouts, hanging around in gangs and committing small-time petty  crimes.  And, the girls, looking for the right boy in all of the confusion between good and bad.  There were those teens with big dreams for an exciting and successful life, but not quite knowing how to acquire those dreams.  And all were surrounded by societal wolves,  beckoning and luring them towards their dens of  hard knocks, that could only result in trouble and heart break.

1955...'Rebel Without a Cause'-Whoa! James Dean plays a mixed up, emotional and rebellious teenager.  Have we been there?  I think so, but, only to a point!  However, I don't recall in my lifetime and teenage years, knowing, or being involved with such a group of troubled kids-this film really projects an extreme view of  how a teen's life can change day by day.  I can't even begin to express my reactions to this movie in just a few words, so, how about 'SCARY'!  This movie was up for 3 academy awards, but, James Dean was not nominated in this role.  I believe that most of us who saw this film, were more enamered by the actors and the rebellious ideas that were presented-James Dean, the gorgeous 'bad boy', Sal Mineo, the weak introvert follower, and, Natalie Wood, the lovely rebel 'wannabe'.  This movie was based on an actual case study, and book written by Dr. Robert Lindner in 1944.  It was a factual book titled 'Rebel Without a Cause'. 
 Of course, in 1955, most of us weren't even ten years old yet, and had to wait a few years to see this movie.
***
My gosh!  You just let me blab on and on...give me another inch!

Last Thursday Karo and I took a road trip just for the day (it's ok, I did have the day off work!).  We traveled a bit over 100 miles one way to the west of Fort Worth, through some small towns.  One such town is called Archer City, which is where we got off!

~photo by Suzanne * June 13, 2013

I guess the main attraction in this town is a bookstore and a movie theater.  Archer City, Texas is the town in  which the movie, 'The Last Picture Show' was filmed.  And, the author, Larry McMurtry, grew up on a ranch just outside of Archer City.  Mr. McMurtry wrote this book as a semi-autobiography, based on some of the events of his own life as a teenager.  'The Last Picture Show' was filmed in black and white in 1971, in order to lend a more realistic perception of the 1950's in this small town.  Jeff Bridges, Cybill Shepherd,  Ben Johnson, Cloris Leachman, Timothy Bottoms, and various others were cast in this film.  It was nominated for 8 academy awards.  Cloris Leachman and Ben Johnson won awards for best supporting actress and actor respectively.  If you have seen this movie, you know it is a story about teens coming of age, and, striving to find their places in this small, waning town in the early 1950s.  

Karo and I had seen 'The Last Picture Show' on television a couple of weeks before, and that stirred our interest in the town.  As you can see from the sign, the population of Archer City is a mere 1,848...I mean, this is the current sign as you head into town.  

And here is the movie theater used in the film.  It is named 'Royal', and,  this theater is no longer open.    There is no news that it will open again in the future.

 ~photos by Suzanne * June 13, 2013

This is one of the bookstores owned by author, Larry McMurtry, in Archer City, TX, that carried various books along with his book, 'The Last Picture Show'.  Mr. McMurtry owned four bookstores, and, I believe, the only one open at this time is "Booked Up Inc. No. 1."  This author also wrote ''Lonesome Dove" and co-wrote the screenplay for 'Brokeback Mountain'.

~The author and pulitzer prize winner, Larry McMurtry now resides in Houston, Texas.

By the way-if anyone is interested, the movie, "The Last Picture Show" will be showing on TV tomorrow (Friday) nite on the local movie channel.  Ours is KDFIDT2, or 27.  Oh, I don't know...I'll just say it's on at 9:35pm, Texas time!

I Got Help from:

Karo-thank you for the fun day trip to Archer City!

Archer City

Larry McMurtry, author

Google

Yahoo

http://www.filmsite.org

http://imdb.com

 wikipedia.org

***  My dearest readers, thank you so much for traveling thru the reel to reel of the KardKorner!  I always enjoy your visits, and encourage you to stop by and say hello any time.  If it's hot and muggy where you live, please use caution in the heat...hey, you could stay cool indoors, and  read a few blogs! lol!♥  Anyway, it's the first day of summer, and, we're all feeling it, aren't we?  Please have a wonderful and safe weekend. 

Hugs to you all!

(you too, Cindy and Paulette!)

***

...as dusk gives in to darkness, they know they must allow the sleepy town to roll up its sidewalks one more time.  Once again, they make their way back into reality, channeling all memories into the archives of their minds, knowing they will re-surface again at a later date...

...And, the old drive-in stands by proudly in its bedraggled state, still reminiscing in its own right-because,  a monumental comeback is inevitable!!!

~photo by Suzanne * June 13, 2013 * Jacksboro, TX

Till we meet again, mes amis!

Bon soir!

Memories!

Rusty and Chips

~ photo by Suzanne * Weatherford, Texas * Summer 1985

~"Memory is a child walking along a seashore.  You never can tell what small pebble it will pick up and store away among its treasured things."

* Pierce Harris, Atlanta journal * 

* Best wishes to you all from the KardKorner! *

Thank you for coming by...stop in anytime, and, don't be afraid to say hello!

Please have a safe Memorial Day Holiday!  

http://animated-gifs.org

Sunday And My 100th Post!

~ Roses and Elvis coffee * photo by Suzanne in April 2013

Good evening my dear readers and Happy Sunday (although it's just about over)!  I know this is slightly out of character for me to just POP in and send impromptu messages, but, I just realized that I've been blogging for almost 3 years now...sometime at the end of May (way end of May, the 29th)!  And, to boot, I have written 99 posts!  Most of you have written 500+ posts...so, I thought I could at least hit the 100 mark!

I've really enjoyed this part of my life, in fact, it has brought me much joy, AND, it's FUN!  There are a lot of great things to write about...there are those things just off the top of my head, or subjects that we're all familiar with, but, just need a refresher course on.  A lot of the subjects I've hit on are those that I knew absolutely nothing about!  I've taken on some pretty challenging projects during my blogging career, and, I've also learned a lot from your blogs...it has truly been rewarding!

Well, anyway, I just want to thank all of my readers for sticking with me , even those who are still too shy to stop and say hello!  We all laugh together, and cry together...but, mostly, we GET together and agree to have a grand ole time, each time!
***
Here's what we had for dinner tonite!

here are the fixins'

~and, the finished product!

You're right!!!  German Potato Salad!!!  Actually, these photos are from when I made it last month.  I take photos of some of the foods I fix, and I did prepare it this evening.  This is so good, and, it's a keeper in my house!  It is actually one of Betty Crocker's original recipes, but I use kielbasa sausage instead of bacon, and it suits us, as a complete, one-skillet meal.  A small dinner salad serves well with this dish.

Thanks Betty Crocker!

Ok, gotta go now...work day tomorrow, and the first day of our annual 2013 audit!  It's going to be a tough week, believe me.  Oh, we'll do fine...but it's a tiring and stressful event!

Thanks so much for all of your visits these past few years...I've loved every moment of it!  I feel like I've known most of you for a good part of our lives, and, I hope we can always be in touch!

Be safe...see you next time! ♥ (Wow! Big Heart)

A 'Not-So-Welcome' Break!

~photo by Suzanne * April 13, 2013

Whew!  What a time we've had these past two weeks.  Two weeks ago Wednesday, I phoned Karo from the grocery store to ask if he knew of anything else we needed before I headed home.  "No", he said, "but I've got a big surprise waiting for you when you get home."  I thought maybe he'd gone to pick up our grandson 'Scootie' for a few days.  So, I said, "Does it talk?"  Karo said "no, but it was pretty expensive!"  When I arrived home, and, into the house, I did not notice anything expensive at all, but Karo took me to the dining room window and told me to gaze upon the backyard.

YAH!!!  The massive tree out in the 'back 40' of our property had split down the middle and broke off, pulling down phone lines and electrical lines.  In turn, those lines ripped the post off of the back of our house that houses the electrical lines connected to the breaker box-a mouthful, eh?

So, here's the tree with the break and stuff laying all around it.

A closer look...stuff fell into the broken area? Whaa...?

large limbs, and, more lines hanging around

...then, trailing over the 1968 'Aerosmith' truck * believe it or not, no damage to this truck!

Do they make them like this anymore?  Nah!

And, here's where the pole was 'ripped' from the house!

Of course, it rained after that for TWO DAYS!!!  And, it was hard to get anyone to come out to help.  We were kind of dumbfounded-we had to pinch and shake each other to the tune of "WHAT DO WE DO FIRST!?"  And, NO INTERNET!  But, we did have electricity...actually we were fortunate.  So we got the tree removed first, wow-that hurt the pocketbook!  Karo and Rusty did repair work on the house, getting the underflashing from the roof fixed and the pole securely back in place, but the electricity had to be turned off for these repairs, and a technician had to come back to re-string the electric lines.  They are above ground, and were laying ON the ground! It took the technician, Karo and Rusty, all to hold up and wench the lines back up.   After that, was the wait for the phone company to come back and reconnect the phone-sheesh!!!

In the meantime, I was frantically trying to figure out how to access, at least, my email, from my cell phone!  I have only used that phone to TALK ON! And, I could get to my blog, and, to all of yours...but, I could not get logged on to blogger to say anything-drats, what a nightmare!  Karo has 'hotspot' on his phone, but, we still couldn't get logged on to anything on our computers!  NO...it wasn't the operators!!!☺

Nevertheless, I'm glad to be back...I must say, I've missed you all, and I am trying to get back in the groove and catch up to all your news.  I trust you've all been well, and, have had pleasant weather.  We've had unusually very springy weather-well, I guess you'll need to check in with the garden guru at MyTexasGardens-she'll be happy to tell you all about it-AFTER she's cleaned up her yard from the tree disaster!  By the way, wonder if she knows what kind of tree that was? 

We did get to spend some time with Scootie during the 'tree fiasco', and took him to the park so he could really run wild!

~photo by Suzanne * April 12, 2013

*** Don't you just want to pinch his cheeks, lol? ***

~photo by Suzanne * Fort Worth, TX * April 12, 2013

***

Thank you so much for stopping by...I know sometimes we can't help the events that force us to take a break from our usual fun tasks, and, it's so good to feel that 'welcome back' feeling that lightens the load, and makes it all worthwhile!

I want to take a moment to say that I, a Texas resident, am so appreciative of your prayers and blessings to the folks of West, Texas who have suffered great losses as a result of the explosion at the fertilizer plant.  There was a wonderful and touching memorial for the families and townspeople, at which our president and his wife graciously attended.  The town has amazing strength, and, I believe, with our assistance and prayers, they can rebuild and, persevere. 

***

Please stop and say hello if you get the chance...AND REMEMBER!

"A tree never hits an automobile except in self-defense!

See you next time! ♥

A Perfect Princess!

How many of us girls have dreamed at one time or another of being a princess?  Most of us I presume...I have to admit, I've been a Princess dreamer myself!   Ok...ok, you guys too-have you ever dreamed of being a prince?  How far-fetched is that? But, I'm sure it's true...we've all tried to imagine what it would be like to be some sort of royalty, if any of you are royalty, you'd better fess up! Now!!!

I didn't realize there were so many princesses and princes in our midst, like from, Denmark, Netherlands, Holland, Japan, and, of course, we're familiar with the royalty from the beautiful United Kingdom!  They seem so close to us, and, they let us into their lives! We're included in their fun activities and current news (which is always fascinating!)  Alright, alright-I'll get to my point!  About a week ago an article rolled across my desk into KardKorner territory about a lady who waited most of her life to become a princess!

As the story unfolds, 16 year old Lillian Davies journeyed from her homeland in Wales to pursue an acting and modeling career in London.  She did manage to land some small parts modeling hats and gloves in commercials, and a few small parts in movies.  Lillian could also be seen in some fashion magazines like Vogue.  Once she had landed a few modeling jobs, Lillian dropped the double ll from her name, to just Lilian.  In 1940, she met and married British actor Ivan Craig, who, was then drafted into the British Army after WWII broke out.  During that time, Lilian worked in a factory making radio sets for the British Merchant's Fleet, and, too, in a hospital for wounded soldiers.

Well, dear readers, it seems as tho one 'enchanted' evening, while socializing at the extravagant 'Les Ambassadeurs' night club,  Lilian met a handsome prince! It was Prince Bertil of Sweden, the third son of King Gustaf VI Adolf and Crown Princess Margaret of Connaught. Lilian later invited Prince Bertil to a cocktail party in her London apartment.  After an episode regarding an air raid in her neighborhood, where the Prince fetched her in his car, the two embarked on a relationship that just literally gripped the hearts of the people of Sweden.  It turns out that Lilian's then husband Ivan, too, had met someone, so after just a few years of marriage, Lilian and Ivan amicably dissolved their union to go their separate ways.

Prince Bertil * Duke of Halland

Prince Bertil was stationed at the British Embassy when he and Lilian met, and, he was next in succession to the throne.  However, his relationship with Lilian changed that outcome, and his father, King Gustaf, of course, forbade the prince to marry the divorced commoner. Ironically, Bertil's brother, 2nd oldest Sigvard Oscar...had also been removed from the line of succession, for marrying a commoner.  Prince Gustaf Adolf, the oldest brother, perished in a plane crash, leaving an infant son, who later became King of Sweden.  Consequently, until that time, Prince Bertil had to wait to marry Lilian.  So, for decades to follow, this couple's love remained secret, and they lived together in the French village of Sainte-Maxime, spending some of their time in Sweden.  Oh, the sacrifices this couple made...Lilian stayed in the background in order to keep trouble away from her Prince and the possibility of damage to the Bernadotte dynasty. And, even though their relationship was to be secret, their love and loyalty to each other was well known and lovingly revered by the Swedes.

~Lilian and Prince Bertil

Finally...the infant King Carl XVI Gustaf, came of age, and, granted permission for Prince Bertil and Lilian to marry.  I mean, it's 1976 by this time...Bertil and Lilian were in their 60's!!!  So, the loving couple were married on December 7, 1976 at the Palace Church of Drottiningholm just outside Stockholm. 'Lily', as the prince used to call her, became princess of Sweden! Lilian was Sweden's last royal bride.

~Princess Lilian and Prince Bertil wedding party

Princess Lilian quickly became popular in her station as Duchess of Halland.  Even though the royals weren't readily accepting of her, Lilian's cheerful personality and charm won the Swedes over.  She and the prince were frequently noted for playing golf and  riding around on the prince's motorcycle.  They were the ultimate happy couple.  Lilian also took part in various interests of the prince, representing the royal family at official engagements.  After this lady had been shunned and scorned for more than 30 years, Lilian continued to present herself with grace and dignity.  And, after Prince Bertil passed away in 1997, this princess took on some of his duties, such as attending the Nobel Prize banquets, and, presenting awards for various sports associations.  

 ~Princess Lilian and Ahmed Zewail, laureate in Chemistry 

Nobel Prize winner 1999

In the year 2000,  princess Lilian published her memoirs, and in them recalled, "He was so handsome my prince.  Especially in uniform.  So charming and thoughtful.  And, so funny. 

Oh, how we laughed together."

As her health was failing around 2006, the princess was no longer able to perform some of her royal duties.  Then in June of 2010, Lilian was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and was no longer able to appear in public. 

 

Princess Lilian passed away March 10, 2013 at her home in Stockholm.

She was 97 years old.

~Prince Bertil and Princess Lilian

"If  I were to sum up my life, everything has been about my love."

~princess lilian

Well, ladies and gentlemen, princes and princesses...was this a story after our hearts, or what?  Lilian did not give up her prince, nor, did the prince forsake Lilian for his station in life (aside from agreeing not to marry her).  The couple never had any children, and, Prince Bertil never did become a contender for King, but, he always had his 'Lily'.  It's not too often I have the pleasure of coming across a 'real' fairytail.  I was truly moved and excited by this story, and, I hope you were too!

Thank you so much for coming by...it's a cold and rainy day in Texas (you too, Thisisme?)  Step in, and say hello if you get the chance!  The door swings both ways at the KardKorner!

I did do some research...and want to thank:

yahoo images/yahoo news/yahoo answers

google

http://ibtimes.com

http://www.whoislog.info

http://www.therecord.com

See you soon ♥